First Test – Plays of the Day 2: Markram lays foundation for Bosch to shine
The Proteas and Pakistan were involved in an almighty tussle on the second day of the first Test at Centurion. Independent Media Sport’s Zaahier Adams picks five Plays of the Day.
It's a magnificent 81 for Corbin Bosch ⭐
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 27, 2024
The @ProteasMenCSA take a 90-run lead into the final session on Day Two 🇿🇦🆚🇵🇰
📺 Stream #SAvPAK on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/TczgdFbOGB
Golden boy Bosch
If four wickets on the opening day of your Test career was not enough, Corbin Bosch followed it up with a first-class career-best 81 not out off just 93 balls to push the Proteas up to 301. It was an invaluable innings as Bosch’s heroics ensured the Proteas could eke out a 90-run lead. It was also the highest score by a No.9 batter on debut in Tests.
Aiden Markram’s Centurion love affair
The Proteas vice-captain has been struggling for runs across formats over the last while, but there was just a feeling that returning to his home ground would bring out the best in him. It certainly did as Markram reminded everyone with a few scrumptious square drives why it's just impossible to drop him when he is experiencing a lean run. He deserved a century,and was visibly livid when he was eventually dismissed, but Markram back among the runs is good for the long term future of the Proteas.
Middle-order collapse
The Proteas were seemingly on their way to a commanding total when Aiden Markram and David Bedingham were putting together 42-run fifth wicket partnership, but the introduction of Naseem Shah saw the home team lose three wickets - all to Shah - for just 13 runs which left them on a slippery slope.
Dane Paterson living his best life
Even veteran seamer Dane Paterson is not picking up five wickets for fun, the 35-year-old is having the time out of his life with the willow. Given just two balls to keep out each over by Corbin Bosch, Paterson chose the expansive option by stroking the only six of the match high over long off.
KG gets his reward 💥💥
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 27, 2024
📺 Stream #SAvPAK on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/bLrpLj0CfO
Just reward for KG Rabada
Kagiso Rabada has bowled brilliantly the past couple of Test matches without much success. His spell in the first innings here at Centurion was a delight to watch, but still he went wicketless. But good things do indeed come to those who wait with Rabada making the telling opening breakthrough in Pakistan’s second innings when he got through Saim Ayub’s defence after the Pakistani openers had got off to a rollicking start.